SATURDAY'S postponement at Turf Moor is not the first time Premiership referee Martin Atkinson has called a game off in controversial circumstances.

The Yorkshire official left both Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger frustrated when he deemed their Carling Cup quarter final clash at Anfield on December 19 unplayable due to fog.

Both managers disagreed with his verdict, which was made an hour before kick-off and with 5,200 supporters already inside the stadium.

"From the stands you could not see the full pitch and it may have been impossible for one of my assistants to make a clear judgement on a decision that could have have decided the outcome of the game," said Mr Atkinson shortly after the postponement.

But Benitez and Wenger contested his decision.

"I think we could play," Benitez said.

"You cannot change the decision. You must respect it but we don't agree.

"Myself and Arsene Wenger tried to convince the referee that we could play, but it was impossible.

"The referee said that he could not see the different colours and that it would be difficult for the linesman.

"But you could see both goals clearly from the centre-circle and the referee said no.

"I'm surprised because we felt we could play in those circumstances."

Wenger, whose players and staff had earlier been forced to reschedule their flight from Luton to Stansted Airport due to the weather and then divert their landing from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Blackpool International in order to get to Anfield, added: "The pitch was playable. But we were unable to influence the decision of the referee.

"It's very disappointing because both teams wanted to play."